Walk more and you’ll discover benefits like increased health and fitness to money and time savings.

The benefits of walking...

Walking can be quicker

Half of Westport’s car journeys are under two kilometres - just 25 minutes walk - easily within walking distance and on foot there’s no chance of getting stuck in traffic.

Walking is good for your health

Walking is the nearest thing to perfect exercise – it can halve your risk of coronary heart disease and help prevent some cancers. Walking helps reduce stress and improves your general well being.

Walking is cheaper

No petrol, no bus fare and no special equipment to buy, walking is the free and easy alternative for local journeys for school, work or just to explore the local area.

Walking leads to a better environment

Did you know that you can breathe in more pollution inside your car than from walking the same route? The average drive to school and back releases 800g of carbon dioxide into the air - enough to inflate over 60 balloons – whilst walking offers a carbon neutral way of travelling.

Use the Westport Town Greenway for enjoyable and safe trips to town by foot and by bike. Download the Westport Town Greenway map here

Pedestrian Safety

Safety Advice for Pedestrians

For most of us, putting your seat belt on when you get in a car is second nature. However, as pedestrians, many of us forget to follow simple safety advice to keep out of harm's way.

Each year in Ireland pedestrians are killed and seriously injured on our roads. It only takes a second to become a statistic, so take a few moments to consider these simple safety measures:

· Always use pedestrian crossings.

· Be safe, be seen! Make sure you are visible to motorists. Fluorescent materials are most effective during the day and reflective materials at night.

· Take extra care when under the influence of alcohol - you are more likely to make errors of judgment or behave in a way that could lead you to become involved in a collision.

· Don't get distracted - listening to an iPod, chatting to friends or sending a text while crossing the road will distract you and put you in serious danger.

· Follow the rules of the road.

Advice for Motorists

Be aware of pedestrians near or crossing the road - they may not be aware you are coming. Children in particular may not have the 'road sense' or general experience of adults, plus they may be harder to see, especially around parked cars.

Elderly people are also more vulnerable - they may not be able to see or hear approaching vehicles or have difficulty in accurately judging speed and distance. They may also require more time to cross the road than motorists might expect